The lovely HawkandFallow and I are off to see The Boyfriend on the big screen in a couple of weeks, it's our Christmas pressie to each other and I am soooo excited!
I have never seen it...I know..NeVeR seen it. I have a feeling I'm in for a treat.
I wanted to share a couple of my favourite movies in case any of yous ain't seen them. They're spectacular...in my humble opinion and well worth a look-see.
Streetcar is my FAVOURITE film of all time, the performances are a masterclass.
This film really moved me. It is a must see.
There's a ton more and so much more for me to see to add to my list!
Have you seen any? Didn't you just LoVe them??
"A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it." - Alfred Hitchcock
This is Yvette Edwards' debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It created an atmosphere for me complete with smells, tastes, feelings. It was like dipping into someone else's world. Once I finished it I held it for about 5 minutes afterwards, savouring it. I haven't had that feeling about a fictional book for a long time.
If you can, read it. You won't regret it, in fact like me you probably won't be able to put it down.
“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.”
This week I was invited to watch Rock of Ages, the relatively new musical in the West End starring Shayne Ward and Justin Lee Collins. Musicals aren't generally my bag but I was intrigued and tempted by the idea of taking the lovely Phyllis (blog name) with me for a night of fun. He loves (yes Phyllis is a he) a bit of musical good times so I knew we'd have fun.
Now to be perfectly honest with you, I went with fairly low expectations. Mainly because I don't enjoy the generally large performance style of musicals. I also wasn't tempted by the fact the show markets itself so heavily on it's celebrity cast. I totally appreciate the inclusion of celebs put a lot of bums on seats but my tosh ain't one of them. I respond to having seen and appreciated performers of that genre before. Kerry Ellis for example, I saw her in Wicked and was bewitched (pardon the pun) by her voice.
I also couldn't understand the concept of the show behind the posters on the tube, it seemed like a new version We Will Rock You?
So needless to say I wouldn't have gone without being invited but I am so glad I did!! We had so much FUN!
I would like to just clarify at this point that when I was invited, I asked if they, the show, were inviting me on the agreement that I write a positive post - which I don't do. They replied saying no, they just wanted me to see it and write about it. Whatever I chose to say was entirely my choice. They have not asked to read and edit my post before publishing so the following are all my own (and Phyllis') unbiased opinions.
The plot line is really just a filler for the big rock anthem numbers which are impressively sung by the leads and chorus. As I said I don't go to musicals often at all and I couldn't help but be blown away by the talent we were exposed to live right in front of you. After many Saturdays flicking through X-Factor it certainly puts a few things in perspective!
The whole cast had really great voices and it was amazing to hear such big songs sung so beautifully and with such ease, the only odd thing was a lot of the songs being Rock I found it peculiar to hear songs designed to be raw, sweaty, Rock and Roll songs sung in such a commercial setting. A West End musical is a long way from the sweaty, pumping, crowd surfing masses packing Rock clubs but you could argue a lot of the songs, from Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Poison etc were always commercial. There are also a full live rock band on stage the whole time who certainly looked like the genuine article.
The show is really a big celebration of the 80's in general with dubious fashion trends, a lot of hair and plenty of tongue in cheek jokes. The comedy was the part I was most surprised by, it is seriously funny. This is in large part down to the FANTASTIC Simon Lipkin. He plays Lonny who is also the narrator. He has a lot interaction with the audience and was absolutely hilarious. He sang and danced brilliantly with the rest of the cast but he was a complete show stealer for me. Effortlessly upstaging the celebrity comedian cast member Justin Lee Collins.
Simon Lipkin
Simon Lipkin & Justin Lee Collins
In fairness to Mr Lee Collins his part was bizarrely dull considering his casting. If you're going to market the show on him I didn't understand why they didn't give him the funny part but I'm so glad I got to see Simon Lipkin - he's someone I would skip all the way to see in another show.
Shayne Ward was also funny (loved his seduction song) and sang really well. Both the celeb cast mates were given peculiarly low profile intros in the show. There was no opportunity to applaud their much anticipated arrivals in the story. Justin Lee Collins' entrance is in sunglasses meaning that even from the stalls Phyllis and I didn't realise it was him until about 10 minutes later. Shayne Ward's entrance is on a video screen and his live entrance is in the shadows and by the time the lights are up the story has moved on. In hindsight though I enjoyed that they were members of the company as opposed to stars of the show.
We saw a Tuesday night performance and although by the second act (and a few beers) the audience were considerably more vocal both Phyllis and I could totally appreciate the show would be at it's best with a full and energetic audience. Having said that though I cannot praise the cast enough for their energy, it was intoxicating and I was up on my feet with the rest of audience by the finale.
I would like to mention Oliver Tompsett who plays the male lead, Drew, not the most likely looking leading man, his singing talent was incredible and both Phyllis and I were rather smitten by the end of the first act....
Oliver Tompsett
I almost exclusively go to the theatre to see new writing or straight plays. I enjoy plays that provoke debate on the way home and in my head for a few days after but I learnt an important lesson on Tuesday night. Sometimes a night of out and out frivilous fun is incredibly refreshing. Both Phyllis and I bounced out of the theatre chattering away about our favourite parts.
All pictures courtesy of Rock of Ages
There are huge rock anthems, serious laughter (I was crying with laughter at the exchange between Oliver Tompsett and Simon Lipkin at the end of Act One), lots of gyrating ladies in suspenders (if that's your thing) and you get glitter bombed to within an inch of your life.
If you have the dosh and fancy a genuinely fun filled night of entertainment then I recommend it. I have been laughing over memories of the show for 3 days now. In fact I wouldn't mind seeing it again!
Thank you Rock of Ages - I had a blast!
"Ladies love him, guys want to be him, his band hates his guts,
but he's a star and stars are undeniable, like herpes."
- Lonny
P.S I should mention that you can see Rock of Ages perform on Children in Need this weekend.
As you know I am currently temping while waiting for my next acting job to come along. This is a notoriously quiet time of the year and in fact I don't expect to be working as an actor again til the New Year.
Who knows though eh!?
Anyway during my temping adventure so far I have met some really lovely and incredible people. A lot of people out there temping or on Reception have such exciting artistic outlets and are also pursuing a creative way to pay their bills.
Today I'm back at a certain agency to work with one of their Receptionists. Well she is a Receptionist 9-5 but in more underground circles is better known as The Rat Racer! She is a terrific artist and has been building up a portfolio to eventually land an illustrating job. One of her outlets is The Rat Racers . On her daily commute she secretly sketches the other passengers and then posts them up on her blog as a daily collection, each one with a unique title.
Here are just a few to tantalise you but for the full range (which I think would make a superb coffee table book), check out her blog. Become a follower if you're a London commuter - you may spot yourself or your fellow travellers!
c/o The Rat Racer
c/o The Rat Racer
“The trouble with the rat-race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.”
This week just gone I spent most of it in an audition room, but on the other side...oh yes! A director I worked with recently, blog-named Portia, asked me to read opposite the actors she was auditioning for an all male cast. I was delighted, we have worked together a couple of times and have become mates so it was lovely to see her, hang out and of course it would be fascinating to be on the other side of the audition table.
And oh blimey it was an eye opener!
I learnt a hell of a lot for future auditions and in some cases was incredibly shocked by the way some people presented themselves. Manners cost nothing but are worth so much, said somebody's mother! We met lists and lists of actors and it was great to get to read with so many people.
I had a great time and she'll no doubt put together a first class cast eventually. As for me I can't wait for my next meeting to try out some of the top tips I learnt from observing.
Spaghetti Arms is back to being London based again and I am DE-lighted! Last night we both went to see Playboy of the Western World with some of his friends, we both had mates in the large cast. It was great to finally see such an Irish classic staged, the set was amazing, the music great and the play, well the play wasn't my favourite but I could see why it has stood the test of time.
So that was my week....how was yours?
"There are five stages to an actor's career: who is Herschel Bernardi? get me Herschel Bernardi; get me a Herschel Bernardi type; get me a young Herschel Bernardi; and who is Herschel Bernardi?"
A Real Hero by College feat. Electric Youth as featured on the excellent Drive movie starring Ryan Gosling aka The Big One's lookie likie.
Yup, I'm a lucky gal.
Have you seen the movie? Fallen in love with Driver and his jackets and driving gloves?
Me too.
Enjoy the track, it's on the player right there -------->
"I have to go somewhere now. I don't think I can come back. I just wanted you to know, just gettin' to be around you, that was the best that ever happened to me."
Bought this as a kit at the Knit & Stitch show at Alexandra Palace back in October (a belated post yet to come). The kit came with the pattern and 2 balls of Toft Alpaca Fingering yarn.
It was a fiddly pattern, not the easiest to figure out but certainly not the hardest. ANYway I finally finished it today and was so pleased I popped it straight on for pics before ironing...
I am delighted with it and will be wearing it out tomorrow...after ironing it. Aaarrrgh I hate ironing!
"I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard." - Phyllis Diller
We were staying in Mawgan Porth and where we were located was a 10 minute walk to the beach and a 30 min walk to the little village for a lovely cream tea.
The view from our windows
Our little and luverly cottage
The shortcut towards the beach
The Big One!
Mawgan Porth Bay
The Big One on the Beach
Jumping for Joy!
I'm sure you can understand we've been a bit slow at mentally engaging with the hustle and dry bustle of London since we got back. The fresh air and space was so revitalising.
"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
The Big One and I went to North Cornwall for a winter mini break last week, a little hibernate in a beautiful eco-cottage we rented for the week and it was heavenly.
With a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge to welcome us, we soon settled right in!
We cooked together, sat for hours just reading (him) and knitting (me), we went on long lovely autumnal walks, made fires each night and watched Breaking Bad, it was immense.
My latest knitting project - 100% Alpaca...sigh
Here are some of the dishes we cooked, they were so yummy sometimes I ate my portion all up before remembering to take a pic!
Spinach and Ricotta Canelloni
Apple Crumble and Custard
Sea Bass with a Tomato and Pepper Sauce with Spinach
Hearty stuff! We needed it for all the gorgeous walks we did - see the next post for pictures that do not do the place justice.
"A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless." - May Sarton
I am a London based knitting lady of masks (aka an actor) who shops too much, reads too little and watches just enough theatre and film to have relatively considered opinions. I love all things vintage, directional, coloured knitting needles, all sorts of music and long dinners with friends. This here collection of musings will be about anything and everything I find inspirational enough to share... with you
